The 15th annual Mineola Mustang fun run/walk and 5K run/walk was held Nov. 21, raising $20,000 for Mineola causes. A record number of 800 people participated in the run, helping to keep it the largest annual Mineola fund raiser.

The net proceeds, up from $15,000 last year, will be divided among the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Mineola Athletic Association, Mineola Police Athletic League, Mineola Auxiliary Police, Mineola Fire Department and the Mineola Historical Society.

The top 5K Mineola runners included Gretchen Murphy and Ryan Broushet. The top 5K Mineola walkers included Angela Ammann and Jeffrey Koch. The top 5K male runner was Michael Anderson, with a time of 16:08. The top 5K female runner was Petal Joseph, with a time of 20:34. The top 1 mile run/walk finishers included Thomas Winters, Allison Sloper, Kevin Kiley, Christine Tapias, Tom Schmelke, Madeline Case and Peter Roth.

County Executive Thomas S. Gulotta issued a special proclamation in honor of the run, which states in part:

"Whereas, the County of Nassau is proud to recognize those outstanding organizations and community events which render significant contributions for the enhancement of our region and the betterment of our residents; and

Whereas, the Annual Mineola Mustang Run/Walk to benefit local charities and human service organizations has proven to be among those outstanding events; and

Whereas, Nassau County appreciates that athletic competition builds character and strength among its participants, and provides exciting entertainment for members of the community, who often derive an enormous sense of unity and pride as they come out to support local sporting events; and

Whereas, the Annual Mineola Mustang Run/Walk is marking a significant milestone in its long and distinguished history of bringing people together for the benefit of the community; and

Now, therefore, I, Thomas S. Gulotta, Nassau County Executive, do hereby proclaim Sunday, November 21, 1999 as 'Mineola Mustang Run/Walk Day.'"

More than 300 volunteers participated in this event, which made it truly a community effort. Among the leading volunteers were Scott Fairgrieve (race director), Bill Kaiser (registration director), Dolores La Courte (treasurer), Madeline Maffetore (secretary), Linda Wawzronek (head of raffle), Joyce Gorycki (fund raising), Tom Brewer (shirts), Paul May and Danny Sapienza (set-up committee). General support was given by Marc Leno, Alex Dangelo, Paul Custao, Tony Nocito, Trustee Elizabeth Conlon, Tom Winters, Joe Grillo, Bill Miliano (accountant), Al Freehill, John Lotito of Hempstead Lincoln-Mercury (which donated the bike), Dr. Ann Forte, Dr. Gail Stevens, Artie Epstein of Randi's Cleaners (contributed over 500 water bottles). Food was donated by Western Beef, Entenman's Bakery, Bagel Boss, Snapple, and McDonald's of Mineola. Winthrop University Hospital, with the special assistance of Vice President John Broder, contributed the fliers. The New York Mets and Community Director Jill Knee contributed an autographed ball for the raffle.

Numerous Mineola groups participated, including:

Chief Jack Gayson and the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department; Chief Michael Spae; Stuart Goldstein and the Mineola Auxiliary Police; Chief Edward Rummel and the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps; President Fred Wachter and the Mineola Athletic Association; Denise Zunno and the Police Athletic League; Knights of Columbus/Corpus Christi Council; the Mineola Choral Society; Teri Ranfone and the Mineola Chamber of Commerce; President Jack Hehman and the Mineola Historical Society; Nassau County Police Third Precinct, Noreen Fitzpatrick and the Mineola Teachers Association; Boy Scout Troop 45; volunteers from Corpus Christi School, Mineola High School Key Club, Mineola Middle School Builders Club, Girl Scout Troop 1027; Girl Scout Troop 1087; Brownie Troop 1038; and six members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES), under the leadership of George Gluck, who provided valuable communication services.

Many dignitaries supported the race by attending and/or financially supporting it, including:

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, County Legislator Richard Nicolello, North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger, Town Councilpersons Doreen Banks and Anthony D'Urso, President Teri Ranfone of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, Trustee Lou Santosus (worked with the fire department), Senator Michael Balboni, Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell, Mayor John Colbert, Deputy Mayor Warren Brinker, North Hempstead Receiver of Taxes Ann Galante, Village Justice John O'Shea, attorney David Sullivan and North Hempstead Town Clerk-elect Michelle Schimel.

Special dignitaries included:

Rosemary Hensch and Thomas Praivata of Western Beef, Dr. Sandro Femia, Thomas and Joann Weilfert of All Fire System,s attorney Sheila Lyons (elder law specialist), Barbara Persico of D&A Sand and Gravel, Kenneth Sommers, DDS, CPA Manny DeFreitas, Maureen Frisone of Day-Op Center, Lud & Ursula Oderino of Custom Funding, Maureen Frisone of Sperry Associates Federal Credit Union, Bill Vischio and Rob Malone of McDonald's.

Scott Fairgrieve and the whole Mineola Mustang Run Committee would like to thank all the volunteers who made this event a tremendous success. The run is a true community effort, with various people coming together to raise money to strengthen and enhance the community. A participant in the run commented that "the event had more coverage on the course than any other community race." All the volunteers supported the committee's objective to make the race as safe and successful as possible.

The Mineola School District Board of Education and the custodian staff heavily supported this event. Special thanks are extended to the Board of Education and John Jackson, business manager.

The 16th annual Mustang Run/Walk will be held Sunday, Nov. 19, 2000.

The event was made a financial success by the large support received from the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, Winthrop-University Hospital and the entire business community and many not-for-profit organizations. A list of the major sponsors of the run include:

(NOTE--> MAYBE PUT THE FOLLOWING IN A SMALLER FONT????)

Winthrop-University Hospital; Entenmann's Bakery; Western Beef; Mistic Beverage; A&D Offset Printers, Ltd.; Mineola Bicycle/Fitness and Mower Center; All Fire Systems, Inc.; All Island Taxi; Alliance Reporting Service; Anton Community Newspapers; Bedquarters; Bill Miliano (accountant/enrolled agent); Bob Lazaro for Councilman; Cassidy Funeral Home; CFS Bank; Chiropractic Health Care Center (Dr. Gail Stevens); Churrasqueira Bairrada Restaurant; Clara Valderamma at Prudential Galeria Real Estate; Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy; Councilman Tony D'Urso; Councilwoman Doreen Banks; County Seat Kiwanis; Custom Funding Corporation; D&A Sand & Gravel; D. Reis Furniture Mfg. Corp.; David Sullivan for Judge; Day-Op Center of Long Island; District Court Judge John Riordan; Dover Publications; Dr. Richard G. Winston; Dr. Lisa Wexler; Eleanor Rigby's; Family Chiropractic Center (Sandro S. Femia, DC); Fidelity National Title Insurance Company of NY; Fischer, Martorella & Co., LLP; Fleet Bank; For Birds Only (Pet Lovers USA); Forchelli, Curto, Schwartz, Mineo, Carlino & Cohn, LLP; Fred Pollack, Esq.; Gensel's Gallery (Mineola); Glendale Medical Group (Dr. Joseph Pisciotto); Gorilla Security Systems; Gullwing Motors, Inc.; Hammill, O'Brien, Croutier & Dempsey, PC; Harry Katz Carpet One, Hempstead Lincoln-Mercury/Garden City Saab (John Lotito, sales consultant); Island Janitorial Services Corp.; Jack Gayson Plumbing & Heating; Jack Martins, Esq.; John O'Shea, Esq.; John S. Davanzo Republican Club; John Trieber Agency, Inc.; JPA's Back To Nature, Inc.; Just For Feet; Kenneth L. Sommers, DDS; Knights of Columbus/Corpus Christi council; K's Auto; LI Women's Health Care; La Cisterna Ristorante; La Misinetta; Latham Bros. Lumber Co., Inc.; Lawrence T. Jones, Esq.; Legislator Richard Nicolello; Maguire & Maguire; Mail Boxes Etc. (Mineola); Mama Theresa's Pizzeria & Restaurant; Martin Shear DMD; Martin, Van deWalle, Donohue, McGahan, Catalano & Fairgrieve; Massaro's Pizzeria & Restaurant; Master Bath and Kitchen Plus; Mathew Cuomo for Legislature; Mayor John Colbert; McDonald's (Mineola); Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein, Wolf & Schlissel, PC; Merrill Lynch (Garden City); Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, PC, Mike Fink-Realtor/Century 21 Laffey; Mineola Animal Center; Mineola Chamber of Commerce; Mineola Hometown Party, Mineola Teachers Association, MKM Abstract Services, Inc.; Mr. Jay Appliances & TV, Inc.; Nassau Chromium Plating Co.; Nassau Sports Therapy, PC (Michael G. Gallagher, MSPT); Nassau Surgical Assoc. PC, Oheka Castle Caterers; PACE (Parent and Child Education Program, Inc.); Paradise Island Fine Chinese Cuisine; Paternostro, DeFreitas & Co., LLP; Peter E. Shapiro, Esq./Westerman, Shapiro, Pollack & Draghi, LLP; Queens Bridal Center; Randi's Drive-In Cleaners; Receiver of Taxes Ann Galante; Reliance Federal Savings Bank; Richard Dubin, DDS; Ridgewood Savings Bank; Ross Orthopedic Group; Rynkar, Vail & Barrett, LLP; Senator Michael Balboni; Sheila M. Lyons, Esq. (elder law); Spellman & Walsh; Sperry Federal Credit Union; Staff Managers; Station Plaza Coffee Shop; Supervisor May Newburger; The Bank of New York; Topaz Abstract Corp.; Total Health Chiropractic (Dr. Ann Forte); Tres Belle Hair Design (Mineola); Trustee Elizabeth A.J. Conlon; Trustee Warren Brinker; UFCW Local 342-50; Venezia Garden Center; Vito's Bakery; Walter Moloughney, Esq.; Wendel Home Center, Inc.; Wendy's; Wesco (T-shirt contributor); Willis Hobbies; Williston Park Town House.